SOLSTICE Newsletter

From Pilot to Practice: Mapping the Path for SOLSTICE Replication

As regions and industries across Europe actively seek operational answers on sorting, recycling, governance and decision-support, the SOLSTICE partners TECHTERA and POLYMERIS maps the ground and identifies where SOLSTICE outcomes can generate the most meaningful impact.

The approach deliberately combines two dimensions, territorial mapping and cross-sectoral replication, because the two are inseparable. Scaling a solution is never just a technical question. It depends equally on the readiness of territories, the strength of stakeholder ecosystems, governance structures and industrial capacities.

At the same time, many of the challenges SOLSTICE addresses such as sorting complex materials, recycling multi-material streams, organising circular value chains, are shared by other industries working with polymers and composites.

SOLSTICE GA in Berlin!

On 5-6 May, the SOLSTICE consortium met in Berlin, Germany, for the 5th General Assembly, but also for the second regional event. During the General Assembly, partners shared progress on their work packages, discussed current challenges, and outlined the next steps. The consortium also held a workshop using the Business Model Canvas and the Lean Canvas, focusing on the exploitation of the pilot results.

Valoramix: the tool for Textile Recycling

Our partner TECHTERA has developed Valoramix, an advanced decision-support tool for textile sorting and recycling professionals.
By placing economic simulation at its core, Valoramix lets users test transformation scenarios, model material yields, and assess the financial viability of different recovery options. It is a powerful platform designed to optimize material flows and accelerate the shift toward a more circular textile industry.

Request demo

Repair Days in Berlin

At the end of 2025, Circular Berlin is demonstrating how repairing instead of replacing reduces CO₂ emissions and supports local textile craftsmanship through initiatives like the Repair Days at NochMall. To keep the momentum going, they are promoting the REPAIR DEAL, offering Berliners 50% off denim repairs throughout the year to make circular choices easy for everyone.

Pellenc ST hosts successful automated Sorting Trials

Pellenc ST at the beginning of 2026 hosted successful automated sorting trials in partnership with Nouvelle Fibre Textile. Using the Mistral + Connect optical sorter, the team proved they can achieve the high-purity fractions needed for effective recycling. The trials successfully separated garments into three distinct streams: 100% Polyester, Polyester and Elastane, and a mixed fraction containing cotton, polyamide, and wool.

Pop-Up repair station at NochMall

Circular Berlin, in partnership with Kleiderei, hosted Denim Donnerstag on 29 January 2026, just ahead of Berlin Fashion Week. As part of the SOLSTICE project, repair expert Patricia Vogt from Blindhed Studio guided 62 guests through the practical benefits of clothing rental and repair. The event was a hands-on success, completing 13 repairs and demonstrating how circular solutions can effectively extend the life of our garments.

SOLSTICE public
event in Berlin!

On 5 May, the SOLSTICE consortium met in Berlin, Germany, for the second regional event organised by Textile ETP in collaboration with Circular Berlin. The event, titled "Scaling Textile Repair and Reuse in European Urban Centres: Systemic Levers", brought together researchers, practitioners and city stakeholders for a half-day of expert presentations, hands-on exploration and open exchange around scaling textile repair and reuse across European cities.

Pictures from the event

Meet Sarah Keller from Circular Berlin

Can you tell us about your role in the SOLSTICE project?
Our role in the SOLSTICE project is to design and pilot an innovative 5R solution with the aim of developing a scalable model that can be replicated in other European cities and regions. We contribute the perspective of a European metropolis, with diverse cultures and social groups, and a partly well-developed yet still fragmented circular service infrastructure, while working to drive consumer behavior change.

What has been your most significant contribution to the project so far?
First, we conducted extensive data research on the textile ecosystem in Berlin, analyzing textile material flows, circular businesses, employment figures, and consumer data, and sharing these insights with Circle Economy to support the territory profile. Second, we created Germany’s first textile repair bonus system.

What’s your favourite aspect of working with the SOLSTICE team?
My favourite aspect of working with the SOLSTICE team is the diversity of expertise, knowledge, and perspectives. Each region brings different experiences and challenges, which makes the collaboration very enriching. What unites us is a shared vision and curiosity to learn from one another and to drive meaningful change together.

Can you share a memorable moment or achievement the team had together?
The launch of our Repair Deal website in mid-September was a major milestone.
After six months of intense work across marketing, UX design, storytelling, system technology, stakeholder onboarding, and partnership building, it was incredibly rewarding to see everything come together, go live, and finally be visualized for our audience.

Do you have any personal goals or aspirations tied to this project?
Yes, my goal is to give repair experts more visibility and recognition. Local tailors and repair professionals have incredible expertise and creativity, yet they are often undervalued and disappearing. Our Repair Deal aims to highlight their work, understand their challenges, and develop long-term, impactful measures to strengthen the local repair ecosystem.

What are you most looking forward to as the project progresses?
I was especially excited about hosting the consortium meeting in May in Berlin and bringing together our European project partners with our local network. During the public event, we presented our positioning paper on scaling reuse and repair in urban centres, and the feedback and discussions that followed were incredibly valuable. Exchanging experiences and actionable recommendations with such an engaged audience made it a truly rewarding event.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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